Suction cleaner



H. a. WHITE 2,0949@ sUcTIoN CLEANR Filed March l2, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet l23 Y INVENTOR l '8 @PU/; Wm@

@www

ATTORN EY SUCTION CLEANER Filed March 12, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORATTORNEY motor by vshifting the belt from contact with in which:

carpet contacting member' and for the obvious Figure 4 is anenlargeddetail view in section 20 5? ssiiinngers carrying mugs si theirputer eggs psrsuelvwitii the axis or a. combir'iea-bnisn and *www ses.28,1931 12,094,138

.assises i suegros:

Harry B. White. Canton, 01min, assigner to The Hoover Company, NorthCanton, 0h10, a corporation oi Ohio Appiicsiion Maren 1e, 19st, serialNs. 68,375 s claims. ici. v4-242.5)

This invention relates to improvements in which separate as theyapproach the pulley thus lsuction cleaners and more particularly to ade- 'shifting the belt therefrom. vice for disengasins the belt drivenbrush or A preferredembodiment of the beltshifting beater roll ofasuction cleaner from the driving device is disclosed in theaccompanying drawings its driving pulley. Figure l is a general-viewinside elevation of As well known in the, suction cleaning art, `asuction cleaner showing the operating memsome types of cleaners areequipped with robers for shifting the driving belt into land out tarybrushes or beaters mounted in the nozzle of driving connection with itspulley; 1 0 for promoting .greater cleaning eectiveness, Figure 2 isafragmentary view showing the 10 these rolls being belt driven from adriving pul' .external operating handle ,shifted from on" ley on thesame shaft that carries the suction 'position shown in' Figurejl to the"oiT posifan. Now, for ordinary cleaning operations in tion with arrowsindicating the direction in which whichthe cleaner is maneuvered overthe iloor the handle, is tobe turned to restore the belt i5 covering tobe cleaned, there is no occasion for to its driving position; k i 15.-rendering the' roll inoperative. but wherer the vFigure 3 is a v iewinfront elevation of the cleaner is designed to function withy dustingcleaner showing the location of the belt shifttools, it is desirable ifnot necessary to provide ing device withrelation `to the nozzle, fanchamfor the temporary disengagement of this rotary ber and otheressential parts of'thecleaner';

' reason that. havingconverted the cleaner from taken on line 4--4 ofvFigure lshowing. the exsci-called on-the-iioor to "oil-the-ilooroperaternal operating handle for the belt shifting tion through theagency vof the dusting tools, device;`v unduel carpet wear will resultif the cleaner is Figure 5 is a detailed view slightly enlarged allowedto operate for any length of time in one showing the belt and beltshifter housingl in lon- '25 position. Moreove the driving of the rollunder gitudinal section as taken on line 5 5 of Figthese conditionsinvolves a needless consumption ure 3; i

' of power. p Figures 6, 7, and 8. are enlarged detailed views It hasbeen the practice heretofore, to coverthe in cross section through thebelt shifting mechspace, occupied by the driving belt with a reanismastaken on lines 6 8, 1-1, and 8-8 res0 movable bottom plate, whichlpermitted accessV vspectively, of Figure 5: to the belt for itstemporary disengagement from Figure 9 is a view duplicating the showingof its pulley by hand, at the same time replacing Figure 5, but with thebelt in its shifted position the bottom plate with a 'special lfittingor at and disengagedfrom its driving-pulley; 3 iachment for the hose tobe used with the dust* Figure 1o is an enlarged detailed view in cross35' ing tools, said fitting or converter member. usual` section as takenon lin'e vIll--I of Figure 9-and ly fitting over the inlet opening tothe fan. corresponds to theshowing of Figure 7, but with- 'chamber andat the same time closing oif all the parts in b emsmftedposiuon;

other passages thereto. i Figure 11 isa perspective view of one of they40 Thus, with the foregoing introduction to the belt shiftingelementngers with the roller reproblem of suctioncleaer operation withwhich. moved and l the vpresent invention isv particularly concerned,Figure 12 is a perspective view of the various it may be stated thatVits principal object is to garts'of'the operating pinion and handle inposi- 5)provide means whereby the belt driving the rotion for assembly.5

4L tary brush or beater roll may-'bedisengage'd or The -invention isincorporated. in asuction .shifted fromv driving contact with itspulley,v .cleaner of the portable', hand-irianeuvered type WithOlltremoving any parte! the cleaner calins consisting generally of a casingsupported upon or manipulating the belt' by hand and, without wheels andprovided with a nozzle portion com- 'having to stop the driving motor ifit is ,not municating with afanchamber inwnich amotor w desired todo e0.e" 1 driven fan is mounted and leading to a dust bag.

Essentially, the invention embodies a novel or receptacle through-anexhaust outlet. In the belt shifting mechanism consisting primarily`present disclosure, the cleaner is'more particucfa pair of lingers orarms which are shiftable larly characterized by the fact-that the axisof lengthwise between the two leads of the belt. rotation ofthe motorand fan is horizontal and 55 ranged brush elements (not shown).

directly, connected with the fan 3, (a portion of which is shown at theright hand of the housing I in Figure 3). this fanpbeing'mounted upon anextension of a motor shaft 2a.. Immediatelyin front of the cylindrichousingel and extending transversely across the Ifront of the cleaner isthe nozzle Ia, having a'downwardly facing suction mouth or openingl andhaving theformof an arched chamber in which is located the agitator lconsisting primarily of a cylindric metal shell with helically arrangedbeater elements' la projecting from its surface; as well as suitablyardric shellof the agitator is journaled on a shaft 5 which in turn issupported in a bearing 6 mounted at each end of the nozzle chamber.

As clearly shown in Figure 3 there is provided at either end of thecylindric housing I of the casing a pair of symmetrically arrangedpassageways or conduits 1 and 8, extending forwardly and downwardly fromeach end of the cylindric housing I and opening at their lower ends intothe nozzlechamber at points disposed inwardly from the outer endsthereof. The passageway 1 on the right hand side of the cleaner formsthe air passage from the nozzle chamber to the fan chamber 9, the samebeing that portion of the cylindric housing I enclosing the fan andcommunicating with the upper end of the passage 1 through an inletopening or eye I0 formed in the end wall of the housing separating thefan chamber from the air inlet passage 1 and concentric with the axis ofthe fan; The fan chamber 9 has direct communication with an exhaustpassage I I extending rearwardly from the housing I, and thence with adust bag I2, removablyattached at its inlet end to the nanged end of theexhaust outlet II. And nnally, to complete the general assembly of thecleaner, wheels il-II are mounted at the forward and rear ends of thecleaner casing, whereby the cleaner is maneuvered over the carpet, beingguided and manually propelled through a handle I4, the lower end portionof which is shown pivotally connected to the casing, immediately aboveand to the rear of the cylindric housin I thereof.. v

Referring now to the inclined passage 8 on the left hand side of thecylindric housing I, the same is substantially a counterpart of the airinlet passage 1 at the opposite end of the housing and while it alsocommunicates at its lower end with the nozzle chamber, it is closed oi!from the housing I at its upper end except for an opening in the `endwall of the housing for the motor shaft bearing Il (Figure 6) and theextension ofthe shaft forming the driving pulley II. 'I'his pulley islocated in the upper'end of the passage and carries a driving belt I1having driving connection in an annular groove 4b on the agitator l.

Before considering. the belt shifting device, it may be observed thataccess to the interior 'of the passageway I is made possible byconstructing the entire upper endportion thereof in the form of aremovable cover plate Il, having a substantially semi-'circular flangedupper end portion Ila bearing ilatwise against the end wall of thehousing I and` suitably fastened in place by means of a manuallyoperative latch member I9 engaging the flanged edgeof the removablecover, coupled with a locking finger IIb at the lower inside edge '0fThus. referring to Figures 1 and 2, Y

The cylinthe cover. Also. it is to be observed that the removable coversection la of the belt passageway 8 forms the supporting member for thebelt shifting device and when the cover section is removed, the shiftingdevice is removed with it. Needless to say, it is first necessary toretract the belt shifting device into its non-operating position beforethe cover section can be removed. Y

Referring now to Figures 5 and 6 it will be noted I that a pair ofspaced guide members 2li-2l are `riveted or otherwise secured to theinner face of the removable cover section Il, the same bei!!! disposedin parallel relation to the direction of the belt and are provided alongthe opposed inner edges with offset flanged portions 20a-20a formingparallel guide-ways for a sliding plate 2 I, having oifset marginaltracks 2Ia engaging said guide-ways. Extending lengthwise of the slidingplate 2l is a slot 2lb. having semi-circular ends and a series of rackteeth 2Ic cut along its upper edge. Pivotally mounted at the upper endof the sliding plate 2|, that is, 'the end adjacent the driving pulleyI8. are pivotally mounted a pair of arms 22-22, each consisting of aframe slightly.

' imaginary line passing (through the axis of the agitator and pulley I0and deilninglthe path of en dwise sliding movement of the plate 2 I.From their point of pivotal connection with the sliding plate 2|, thesearms extend forwardly and approximately parallel with each other, butowing to a slight curvature at their outer nds they4 normally assume theslight convexe relationship shown in Figure 5. Carried at the outer endsof the arms 22-22, are rollers 24 journaled Aon bearing pins 25supported in holes formed in the slightly curved outer ends of the sideframe members 22a-22a. as clearly shown in Figures 7 and ll. f

Leaving the arms 22-22, for the moment, at-I tention is directed to aboss 42l, formed on the inside face of the removable housing section Ilimmediately adjacent the end of the driving pulley I6 (see Figures 5, 7,and 8). 'I'his boss 23;. which in reality is but a portion of the outerwall of the housing section Il of increased thickness, is generallyheart shaped and disposed symmetrically with respect to the imaginarycenter line of the belt, the upper and larger end portion e of the bossextending a short distance beyond the pulley Il and converging to ablunt point below and on the opposite side of the pulley and a shortdistance from the ends of tracks 2&-22 supporting the plate 2I. Formedin the face of the boss 28 is a pair of complementary cam grooves28a-26a, arranged in V-shaped conformation disposed and symmetricallywith respect to the puney ls, that 1s, with the angle included betweenthe two grooves being bisected by the imaginary center line of the belt.Again referring to riure 5. it -wi11 be noted that the two cam grooves26a- 20a diverge from the base of the boss 2l and, upon approaching thepulley Il assume a curvilinear path around the pulley ilnallyterminating a short distance therebeyond. Now, coacting with the camgrooves 26a-20a.

are cam followers Ila-25a at the outer end of the arms 2222, the samehaving the form of ylliul'e '7. These cam yfollowers lie outside of Jthesluiting device be normally positioned as shown in Figure 5, that is,with the plate 2i shifted to the left into its extreme-retractedposition, the arms are drawn closely together and'disposed at a distancefrom the pulley i8 with the belt engaging rollers 2d at their outer endsin contact with each other andjout of contact with the belt. Hence, inthe normal operation of the cleaner,

' the belt shifter is inoperative and the agitator 6 j is driven in theusual manner.l However, if the plate 2i is shifted endwise and towardsthe driving pulley i8 topthe position shown in Figure 9,.

' the arms 22--22, manifestly follow the cam erated while the cleaner isin opera-tion, the belt merely sets the rollers 24 rotating as contacttakes 23a-28a.' first approaching the pulley along divergent paths. -Inthe meantime, thel rollers ci' the heit and as the arms continue tospread apart they eventually embrace the pulleyand-in so doing lift thebelt entirely out of contact .therewith and transfer it on to therollers iid- 26. In the event that the belt shifting jdevice isopplacetherebetween, and continue to rotate until the beit isI lifted from thedriving pulley i6, whereupon the beit comes to rest although the drivingpulley continues to rotate with the motor. Ithardly need he added thatwhile the belt is disconnected from the pullesnthe agitator remainsinoperative and that the belt is reconnected with the driving 'pulley byshifting the plate '2l in the opposite direction thus restoring theparts 'to the positions disclosed-ln Figure 5.

Referringv now to the means for operating the beltI shifting device, thesame comprises a pinion 1 il meshing `vvith the rack tlc along ythe topedge and overlying the path traversed by the outeri ci the longitudinalslot in the plate i and mount..

ed at one end oi a stub shalt g8 journalled in A the outer walloilthehousing vsection is, said shaft carrying at its outer end a handle29 by means oi whichthe pinion is rotated, and belt shifting deviceoperated hy hand from the exterior oi the mlt'housing.

The operating handle 39 and the pinion, 2li

lare so arranged este shift the plate 2i from one end to the other ofits stroke with complete tum ci the shaft 2B. In other words, onerevolution of the handle in one direction shifts thebelt from ingsection it has a pointed nger aamnged radiallywith respect to the axisof the shaft 28 end of the handle ewhich has an upstanding mob 29s.Immediately beneath the handle and in radial alignment with the stopnnger Seis a ilat leai' spring Si serving to yieldinsly hold the andle tin its extreme positions by means of a i puney'of a wir of spreadershmable tm ward and from said pulley-in substantial align- -m pair oi'projections ilio-tlaengaging a corresponding recess 29h in the undersid,of the liandieV 29. The handle position ret g spring 3i is partiallyheld in place 'by the stub shalt 28 passing through its nxed 'end andalso by a radiallyproiecting ear Sib which is riveted to the housingwall at 32 (Figure i) As clearly shown A 3 in Figure i, the handle -2contacts with the stop l0 with the knob 29a e aging a recess on thellower edge of the ilnger'illa. This' is the "On position of the handlewherein thevbelt l] has ,itsv normal driving connectionfwith the pulleyI8.

For convenience the word"belt" is indicated on the face of the finger30a and the word On is stamped on the handle' 29, the wordsvfbelt on.

indicating to the operator that the belt-is on its pulley and inreadiness to drive the agitator. Now, by rotating the handle 29 in acounterclockwise direction to the position shown in Figure 2,- thedevice is actuated to shift the belt from the fil driving pulley i6 andthe handle 28 bears against the upper edge of thestop vfinger 30a andheld For a complete disclosure of the pinion and haniid-l Contact theinner faces of both leads dle assembly attention is directed to Figure12, showing the various parts ofthe assembly in their in the artincluding the squarev end shaft '28 lor mounting the pinion and handle,the utilization4 of .washers and screws engaging threaded socketstogether. r 4 Enumerating the adva tages of the herein disclosed type oibelt shiite as applied to a suction relative positions, all of which iscommon practice vin the ends of the shaft for assembling the partscleaner or removing any part thereof, in order to disengage and engagevthe agitator. also, of the device is the facility with which the beltmay be shifted to and from the driving pulley while the cleaner is -inoperation.

Having thus disclosed a preferred embo of the invention: v

' I claimt l. In a heit shiftingdevice, the combination of a drivingpulley, a driven pulley and a belt con- 'necting said pulleys, of asupporting member,

ent

mounted in the plane of said belt. and shiftable vtoward and from onelof said pulleys, a pair ofl arms carried by said supporting member andprof vided at their free ends with belt engaging rollers,

fand means for spreading said arms apart in the movement oi saidsupporting member toward said pulley to shirt said belt therefrom andonto said A rollers. its driving pulley and turning the handle in thethe belt to agitator4 e. m a een sierung device, the combination of aldriving pulley; a driven member and a belt con l necting said drivingpulley with said driven inem-v her, of apair of spreader-arms providedat their free ends with heit engaging rollers' located inthe plane ofsaid heit andshiftable toward and from said driving pulley and meansacting to spread said arms during theymovement of said rollers towardsaid pulley and into position to shift said belt onto' said rollers.

3, In a belt shifting device, the combination of a driving pulley, adriven member-and a belt confeature necting said driven member-with saiddriving ment with the leads of said belt and provided at their outerends with belt engaging rollers and means for spreading said arms apartduring their their movement toward said pulley to bring said rollersinto contact with opposite leads of said belt and thence into positionsto support said belt tree of said pulley.

4. In a belt shitting device. the combination of a driving pulley, adriven member and belt connecting said driving pulley with said drivenmember, of a manually shiftable support movable toward and from saiddriving pulley in line with said belt, a pair of spreader arms pivotallymounted on said support and provided at their outer ends with beltengaging rollers and co-acting cam members operating to spread said armsapart to bring said rollers into contact with said belt on oppositesides of said pulley and thence into positions to transfer said beltonto .said

rollers. l

5. in a beit' shifting device, the combination with a driving pulley. adriven member, a belt connecting said driving pulley with said drivenmember and a housing enclosing said belt, of a supporting memberslidably mounted on said housing and shiftable toward and from saiddrivving pulley substantially in the plane of said belt.

apair oi spreader arms pivotally mounted on said support and providedwith belt engaging rollers engaging grooves formed in the adjacent faceof said housing, whereby said arms are successively .spread apart asthey approach said pulley to engage said belt and remove said belt fromsaid pulley.

. HARRY B. WHITE.v

